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Progress and Pitfalls of “Peace-Building”
in Afghanistan
continues....
Afghanistan has had a legacy of conflict. Decades of conflict in
Afghanistan have led to a environment which is physically, socially, economically, and politically insecure environment. War has fractured
and strained the social fabric of the country.
A whole generation has
grown up amid pervasive tension and insecurity, and all dimensions of violence, whether physical, psychological, structural, or cultural, are
evident in Afghan society.
At the same time, conflict has caused
widespread poverty, having devastated the rural economy on which the
majority of Afghans depend, and crippled local government infrastructure for the delivery of essential services.
Cessation of all violent conflict is the beginning of a peaceful transition to the creation of a new system of governance, economic development and social reconstruction.
The Bonn Agreement, which
outlined a framework and timetable for the establishment of a
constitution and democratic institutions in Afghanistan (as discussed in Chapter 4), was intended to ‘end the tragic conflict in Afghanistan and
promote national reconciliation, lasting peace, stability and respect for
human rights’. By making the disbandment of illegal armed groups
(DIAG) a major policy priority for the post-Bonn era, Afghanistan’s
reconstruction process aim to continue its transition towards the rule of
law and stronger civil administration. The Afghanistan Compact stresses that this process must be government-led, and backed by strong international support.
This will require strong leadership and political resolve at all levels, reinforced by stronger governance and effective law
enforcement. It focused on disbanding active groups, with the collection
of small arms and ammunition as a crucial component. It is important to
ensure that those communities that rid themselves of armed groups,
benefit from enhanced access to basic services and development
opportunities. As a critical early step, security in former conflict area
requires to be consolidated with confidence-building and other measures
to control violence.
To be continued....